Tile flooring is a great long-term option for your home. It is one of the most durable materials that you can choose. Unfortunately, the grout can make tile floors a little more work than they need to be. Having worked for a company that cleans and waxes tile flooring, I have learned a lot about taking care of tile flooring and grout to protect it from needing replaced prematurely. On my site you will learn about different grout options, as well as tips for keeping the grout from becoming discolored and stained. Hopefully, it will help you take the work out of owning a tile floor in your home.

tips for taking the work out of tile flooring

Living In A House With Kids? Protect Your New Carpet From Muddy Footprints

16 June 2015

Carter Morgan

Your carpet is an investment. Protecting your carpet from an untimely demise will improve the appearance and value of your home. But if you have kids, this can be an never-ending battle. Follow these tips to prevent and manage muddy footprints.

Preventing Tracked-In Mud

The most obvious and easiest way to prevent mud from being tracked in on your carpeted floors is to establish a rule that children and adults cannot wear shoes in the house. Put large mats (inside and outside) at all entrances to the house to give everyone in your family room to remove their footwear upon entering.

Giving your family somewhere to keep to keep their shoes once they've taken them off will make it easier to enforce this rule. Put a box, wooden crate or shoe rack near each entrance. To encourage your guests to follow the same rule, place a second box, wooden crate or shoe rack by the door. Labels that say "family" and "guests" will show everyone who enters the house what to do.

Even if your kids remove their shoes, their pant legs may have mud on them. Lay down carpet runners in the high traffic areas of your home to prevent mud from being dragged in on the heels of your children. Establish rules preventing your kids from going to areas of the house where you'd like the carpet to stay extra nice. Finally, encourage the children to roll up their pant legs after they enter the house.

Cleaning Up Mud Stains

Sprinkle chunky mud stains with cornstarch and allow it to dry fully. Do not attempt to clean up the mud while it is still wet as this will cause the mud to be ground deeper into the carpet. When the mud forms clumps, this is when it is easiest to remove from the carpet fibers. Pull the dried mud from the pile until the pile itself feels soft and pliable again. Vacuum the area slowly using a broom attachment to get all the dirt fragments.

Mix a solution of equal parts vinegar and water, then add the solution to a spray bottle. Test the solution on an out of the way part of your carpet to ensure that the vinegar won't damage the fibers. Spray the entire area with the solution and then use a dry rag to soak up the vinegar. Stand on the rag if you have to in order to apply appropriate pressure. Repeat this process as necessary until the mud has been cleaned up.

For more information about how to protect your carpet from mud, speak with the expert at the carpet store where you bought the carpet. He or she will have more tips to share.